Saturday, December 26, 2009

Usually when somebody asks you, "what was the best gift you got this year?" They are waiting for something "new socks" or "a car" Maybe even "an Xbox 360". So what they are expecting to hear is an affirmation of a working consumerist society within the context of a holiday that includes giving as its greatest tradition.

But if you ask me what mine is, it was conversations with my daughter Jubilee. And OK maybe the conversations didn't take place all at once but it happened this Christmas and was not in response to getting presents.

Jubilee snuggles up to me, pulls my arm to her, then hugs and kisses my hand.
Jubilee: Dad, I love you.
Me: I love you too.
Jubilee: I love to love.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I took Jubilee to see her Meemaw yesterday. Larry was there and we all walked up to Whitney's for lunch.
I put a big pool of ketchup on Jube's plate next to her chicken nuggets and fries. She started swirling it around with her finger and then sucking the ketchup off her fingers. Larry asked her if she liked ketchup and she said yes. She kept swirling and eating her ketchup. Larry suggested dipping a nugget in her ketchup and eating it. She told him maybe later. So now Larry asks her if she likes Cat Soup. She replies yes she does like cat soup. Then, Larry asks her if her Cat Soup is made out of Cats. She grins at him and tells him no it's not. He tells her that it is Cat Soup and it must be made of Cats. She tells Larry that he is silly and it isn't made of Cats.
I ask her, "Then what is your Cat Soup made of?". She looks up at me and says simply, "Tomatoes".

About once a week Jubilee decides she really doesn't want me to go to work, which makes it very difficult to go.. Here was the conversation today.

Me: Come give me a smooch. I have to go to work.
Jubilee: No no no no no no please don't go.
M: I don't want to go, but I have to go.
J: Please stay here with me.
M: I'm sorry, but I have to go to work.
J: No, you have to stay here.
M: I have to go help Santa.
J: OK.